Nehemiah 8:11

11 So the Levites quieted all the people, saying, "Be still, for the day is holy; do not be grieved."

Nehemiah 8:11 Meaning and Commentary

Nehemiah 8:11

So the Levites stilled all the people
Made them quiet and easy, being backed by the governor:

saying, hold your peace;
refrain from weeping and mourning:

for the day is holy;
a festival, set apart for joy and gladness:

neither be ye grieved;
inwardly; as they were not to show any signs of sorrow outwardly, so they were not to cherish grief inwardly.

Nehemiah 8:11 In-Context

9 And Nehemiah, who was the governor, Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who taught the people said to all the people, "This day is holy to the Lord your God; do not mourn nor weep." For all the people wept, when they heard the words of the Law.

10 Then he said to them, "Go your way, eat the fat, drink the sweet, and send portions to those for whom nothing is prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. Do not sorrow, for the joy of the Lord is your strength."

11 So the Levites quieted all the people, saying, "Be still, for the day is holy; do not be grieved."

12 And all the people went their way to eat and drink, to send portions and rejoice greatly, because they understood the words that were declared to them.

13 Now on the second day the heads of the fathers' houses of all the people, with the priests and Levites, were gathered to Ezra the scribe, in order to understand the words of the Law.